The overall mandate of the GSG is to support the establishment of a viable Palestinian institutions at the national and local level, based on genuine democratic control, separation of powers, rule of law, safety and security, as well as a transparent, accountable, effective and efficient government apparatus. The GSG focuses on issues of policy formulation and programmatic coordination in the field of governance.

The main objective of the GSG is to improve aid effectiveness and strengthen PA-donor partnerships by:

increasing donor alignment and harmonisation with PA national and sectoral policies, priorities and plans in the governance sphere;

supporting the development or updating of sector wide policy papers and strategies, within the framework of national plans and budgets;

The GSG is supported by the work of three Sector Working Groups (SWGs) and one Working Group (WG), namely: the Security SWG, the Justice SWG, the Public Administration and Civil Service SWG and the Election WG. These are functional groups which are the main instruments of coordination between the PA and the donor community at the technical level.

Issues of local government reform are handled by the Municipal Development and Local Governance SWG, which operates under the Infrastructure Strategy Group but also reports to the GSG.

Public finance management issues are handled by the Fiscal Sector Working Group (FSWG) under the Economic Strategy Group, which also reports to the GSG.

Legislative issues such as improving the law-making process and internal reforms of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) are followed directly by the GSG.

The GSG reports to the Local Development Forum (LDF) on a regular basis.

Membership in the group is limited to donors and other institutions who can add substantial financial or analytical value to the field of governance and relevant PA institutions.

Composition

Co-Chairs: Ministry of Planning and Administrative Development (MoPAD) and the Office of the European Union Representative (EUREP) Members: PA institutions: Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Interior (MoI), Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Donors: Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, United Kingdom (UK), United States (US), World Bank Secretariat: Local Aid Coordination Secretariat (LACS) GSG Coordinator: Office of the European Union Representative (EUREP)/United Nations Development Program (UNDP)